Best Bone Broth For Dogs Made With Real Bones

Are you looking for a trustworthy bone broth for your fluffy friend (cats included)? Do they suffer from poor digestion or joint pain?

Consider my list of the best bone broths for dogs in 2024 regardless of breed, including chicken, fish, duck, beef, turkey and more.

Why listen to me? I've made over 250,000L of homemade style bone broth in the last 6 years. I also have two happy and healthy dogs (Nitotem and Atlas) who have tried more bone broth than most humans.

If you want the quick answer, just try Bluebird Provisions brand of bone broth powder. They make the highest quality products or both humans and pets you'll find anywhere.

Other brands are good but not perfect. Let's discuss them below in more detail. But first, a few things to look for in a quality product.

Note: Prices may vary depending on location and retailer. It is always recommended to check with the seller for the most accurate and up-to-date pricing information.

Is Bone Broth Good For Dogs

Bone broth is a great for dogs because it is full of collagen protein and amino acids to heal damaged guts, restore proper digestion, promote a shiny coat, help alleviate joint issues and best of all, gets picky eaters eating their food again.

Most dogs can't resist the delicious, savory taste of a concentrated beef broth, I recommend you try for yourself to see how they like it. But you can't just buy any store-bought broth as these are not great for pups. More on that below.

8 Best Bone Broth for Dogs: Regular, Puppy and Senior

The 8 best bone broths for dogs include products from Bluebird Provisions, Honest Kitchen, Caru, Solid Gold, Brutus, Open Farm and Native Pet. Read below for our specific recommendations based on your pups' needs.

1. Best Overall: Bluebird Provisions Grass Fed Beef Bone Broth Powder for Dogs

Bluebird Provisions easily makes the best dehydrated bone broth on the list because of their superior quality, sourcing and 3rd party testing.

This dehydrated powder has a delicious, natural chicken taste and is by far the highest protein at 94%.

Why is it so high? Because this product is a single ingredient with no fillers, gums or extra things to mess with it. You are just quality nutrition and nothing else.

Speaking of nutrition, it's the only one with proper hydration from naturally occurring electrolytes. This helps increase the strength of their immune system.

Your pup will absolutely love this grain free option. Start with 1 tsp to 1/2 tbsp plus water mixed into their regular meals (dinner and breakfast) and see how they are over the first week or so.

The price is the lowest at about $0.34 per 1/2 tbsp serving or $48 per pound.

In my testing, I found that it mixes perfectly into boiling water if you want and also the most environmentally friendly because it uses a lightweight zip pouch. I typically give my two dogs 1/2 tbsp per day with a meal. They go crazy for this stuff, I am telling you!

They are actually on sale for 20% off for a limited time for email subscribers only. 

What I love most:

• 94% Protein
• Sourced and Made in the USA
• Hydrating Electrolytes
• Low sodium at 45 mg per 1/2 tbsp serving.
• Grain Free

Ingredients: Water, Grass Fed Beef Bones

Nutrition Facts: Serving: 1 TBSP | Protein: 6.5 g | Carbs: 0 g | Fat: 0 g | Calories: 25 | Sodium: 90 mg | Fillers: No | Gluten Free: Yes | Shelf Stable: Yes

Buy on Bluebirdprovisions.co

2. Best Stew: The Honest Kitchen Bone Broth Stew Pour Overs

Honest Kitchen bone broth pour overs come in three flavors: lamb/beef stew, turkey stew and chicken stew. The last one seems like a strange flavorings combo, but dogs are different from humans after all.

This liquid version is 4% protein, 2% fat and 1% fiber. The protein is 4% because because you need to account for the moisture content at 90%.

The price of Honest Kitchen Pour overs is about $0.89 per 1/4 cup serving.

What I love most:

• BPA Free
• Recyclable Package
• Human-grade ingredients

Ingredients: Beef bone broth, beef, carrots, butternut squash, tapioca, thyme, sage.

Nutrition Facts: Serving: 2.25 oz | Protein: 4% | Carbs: 4% | Fat: 2% | Calories: 46 | Sodium: unknown | Fillers: No | Gluten Free: Yes | Shelf Stable: Refrigerate After Opening

Buy on Thehonestkitchen.com

3. Best Chicken Bone Broth For Dogs: Bluebird Provisions Chicken

Bluebird Provisions makes the best chicken bone broth on the market. Made with USA sourced, pasture raised and non-gmo chicken bones, this product is one you can count on.

This powder product is single ingredient -- meaning it is free from fillers, concentrates and vegetable powders. What your pup gets is the highest quality meal topper available because it is all protein.

You may scoff at powders and see them as lesser quality, but consider this. Bluebird Provisions makes liquid bone broth using a traditional low and slow simmer. Then they gently dehydrate the liquid into this fine powder.

Now previously, I only gave my two dog's beef bone broth because they were sensitive to chicken. But after years of eating bone broth in their meals, their digestion has changed so much that they can tolerate some chicken products again.

And they absolutely love this chicken bone broth. Atlas in particular smells it from upstairs and runs down when I open the pouch.

This broth is 100% human grade, 3rd party tested for heavy metals and everything else you would want to know.

What I love most about Bluebird Provisions is that they keep things simple. They focus on making the best tasting and most potent bone broth you can find anywhere. Do yourself a favor and try this for your dog.

Ingredients: Water, Pasture Raised Chicken Bones

Nutrition Facts: Serving: 1 TBSP | Protein: 6.25 g | Carbs: 0 g | Fat: 0 g | Calories: 25 | Sodium: 65 mg | Fillers: No | Gluten Free: Yes | Shelf Stable: Yes

Buy on Bluebirdprovisions.co

4. Best Liquid: Caru Beef Bone Broth

Caru makes a beef bone broth available in a tetra-pak package that. You'll find that it is 3% protein and the quality of ingredients are great.

The ingredients are similar things you would find in one made for humans. No nasty additives or fillers make this a high quality option for your pet.

Caru is fat free with 1% fiber and 97.5% moisture or liquid. It is also very low calorie at about 36 calories per cup.

The cost works out to $1.44 USD per serving.

What I love most:

• Organic Vegetables
• Slow Cooking Process
• Made From Real Beef Bones

Ingredients: Water, Beef Bones, Organic Carrots, Organic Celery, Organic Parsley, Apple Cider Vinegar, Black Peppercorns, Bay Leaves, Thyme.

Nutrition Facts: Serving: 1/4 cup | Protein: 3% | Carbs: 0% | Fat: 0.01% | Calories: 9 | Sodium: Unknown | Fillers: No | Gluten Free: Yes | Shelf Stable: Refrigerate After Opening

Buy on Carupetfood.com

5. Open Farm Bone Broth Beef or Chicken

Open Farm Beef Bone Broth is a great liquid choice for your dog for a few reasons.

To start, their commitment to quality sourcing is awesome. They use GAP (Global Animal Partnership) certified level 4 farms to source their bones from. This means the animals live on pasture, are grass fed and are treated with respect throughout their life.

There's 2.2% protein and 1.5% of that being collagen. This means your pup is getting natural collagen to help with coat health, digestion and joint pain.

The ingredients are solid and this is really a trustworthy product. I tried it with my poodle, Atlas, and he absolutely loved the taste. He gobbled his meals up whenever we used it as a meal topper.

Ingredients: Beef bone broth, carrots, pumpkin, parsley, cinnamon

Nutrition Facts: Serving: 2 TBSP | Protein: 2.3% | Carbs: 1% | Fat: 0.1% | Calories: 4.5 | Sodium: Unknown | Fillers: No | Gluten Free: Yes | Shelf Stable: Refrigerate After Opening

Buy on Openfarmpet.com

6. Solid Gold Grain Free Chicken Topper

Solid Gold liquid bone broth topper comes in standup pouch with a convenient resealable spout for easy pouring. It is 3% protein. 

It's a great option for picky eaters because of the tasty boost it will give you any food. It mixes well with kibble or dry food and comes with some fun added flavorings from lavender chamomile to turmeric.

The price of Solid Gold is $1.01 per 1/4 cup serving. In my research and experience, liquid bone broths are generally higher in price per serving.

What I like about Solid Gold:

1. Gut Healing Nutrients
2. Flavor Options (Salmon, Lamb, Chicken, Beef)
3. Human Food Facility

Ingredients: Chicken Bone Broth, Carrots, Sweet Potatoes, Apples, Sesame Seed Oil, Lavender, Chamomile.

Nutrition Facts: Serving: 1/4 Cup | Protein: 3% | Carbs: 1% | Fat:  1% | Calories: 21 | Sodium: Unknown | Fillers: No | Gluten Free: Yes | Shelf Stable: Refrigerate After Opening

Buy on Solidgoldpet.com

7. Brutus Beef Bone Broth

Brutus beef bone broth is a popular option in stores across the USA. They do a great job sourcing and making this quality product. When we check the 'guaranteed analysis' panel, it has 1% protein.

I love that Brutus sources all of their ingredients in the USA and makes a quality product with added glucosamine and chondroitin for joint support.

The cost of this one online is about $0.70 per 1/4 cup serving (at the time of publishing). Brutus has some other great flavors including pork, chicken and salmon.

Ingredients: Beef Broth, Glucosamine Hydrochloride, Vegetable Broth (Sweet Potato, Carrot, Celery), Sea Salt, Beef Flavor, Chondroitin Sulfate, Yeast Extract, Modified Potato Starch, Natural Flavor (Contains Torula Yeast), Turmeric.

Nutrition Facts: Serving: Serving | Protein: 1.25 % | Carbs: 0.5% | Fat:  0.5% | Calories: 2.55 | Sodium: Unknown | Gluten Free: Yes | Shelf Stable: Refrigerate After Opening

Buy on Brutusbroth.com

8. Native Pet Dog Bone Broth Pouches

Native Pet Bone Broth, is another great dehydrated option you can find in beef or chicken. They come in a canister, making it convenient for travel and storage at room temperature.

I like that there is a limited ingredient list, relatively high protein and no filler ingredients.

The chicken broth has 64% protein, 10% fat with 6.6% moisture. Your pet will be getting collagen in this product because of the high protein as well. Collagen is great for your pets joints, fur and teeth.

The beef broth ingredients are found in the image below.

Price works out to $55.68 per pound at the time of this publishing. Making it a cost effective option.

Ingredients: Chicken broth, chicken protein, sweet potato.

Nutrition Facts: Serving: 1 TBSP | Protein: 64% | Carbs:  | Fat:  10% | Calories: 50 | Sodium: Unknown | Gluten Free: Yes | Shelf Stable: Yes

Looking for dog food? Read my guide to find the best freeze dried dog food.

Why Most Dog-Friendly Bone Broth Powder is BAD For Them

Pet food brands put tons of money into marketing their food as healthy for your pup. You see this in the packaging and websites of these companies. Impressive right?

I can help you cut through their lies to see which are actually making food that helps your pet.

The Most Important Step

Check the nutrition facts and ingredient lists. These are what separates products with fancy marketing from real, traditional broths. Be wary of the slick messaging on the front of the package and flip it right to the back.

8 things to look for in the best bone broth (powdered or liquid) for pets

1. Is it Real Liquid or Dehydrated Bone Broth?

Look for words like 'chicken bones' or 'beef bone broth' as the first ingredient. That's it. You'll notice some use just 'broth, stock, protein or concentrates' instead of the real thing.

Some brands even use collagen instead, which is misleading. While these products may be decent options, but they are not dog bone broth.

2. How Much Protein is There?

Traditionally made liquid bone broths that gel at fridge temperature (the hallmark of a high protein broth) have between 8 to 11 grams of protein per cup. This equals 3.2% to 4.4% crude protein if we were to convert these values to percentages (which is how pet food labels are presented).

What about powders? Bone broth powders typically have 80-97% crude protein. Now you can take these values and compare it to the pet food proudcts you are researching to get an idea of where they stand.

You might see lower values that these for a couple of reasons:

1. There are other ingredients that reduce from the protein percentage (ex: vegetables, etc).
2. The broth is low protein in the first place.

3. Where are the Animals Sourced From?

You'll need to check the brand website to find this info or get in touch with them. Nowadays, it is common to find pet food products made overseas in Asia where the animal welfare laws and food packaging safety standards are different.

The result is that you may be feeding your pet something that was sourced from animals where the living conditions, diet, presence of hormones and antibiotics cannot be confirmed.

4. Does It Have Cheap Fillers?

Lots of the famous companies don't even use the real thing (see #1). But you also want to scan the back of the package for the following cheap protein sources.

Some of the misleading things have innocent names. Be wary of anything that lists the following:

• Maltodextrin
• Gelatin
• Collagen
• Beef - don't confuse this with beef bone broth.
• Chicken
• Pumpkin
• Turmeric

Some brands add in fancy probiotics or superfoods. While these may be good, they are typically not found in bone broths. These sometimes used to create the healthy halo effect for a food product, but in reality, they are in such small amounts that there is no benefit.

5. Is There Nasty Preservatives?

Here are a few preservatives that you see in processed food products.

Yeast Extract - An enhancer used in many processed foods and meat products because of its ability to gives foods that umami meaty taste. It's made using GMO yeast and some people have gluten type allergic reactions to it.

Natural Flavors - A confusing ingredient that is a collection of flavors used to make processed foods taste better. You see it in a lot of sugar-sweetened beverages and sports drinks.

Beef Flavor - Made by taking individual amino acids found in beef, adding common sugars and starch hydrolysate to a pot with citric acid and heated. These are used because real beef is too expensive to flavor many foods.

Salt - Likely used as a preservative or flavor additive.

6. How Much Salt / Sodium Is There in Dog Food Broth?

Here’s the sad reality about many dog food toppers: some are salt bombs that are bad for puppies' blood pressure.

Make sure there is no salt added and check the brand website to see how much is in it. They do not need to disclose on the package, so you need to dig deeper.

Look for no more than 80 mg of sodium per tbsp of powder.

7. Is There Carbs In Your Low Calorie Bone Broth?

Most bone broths are naturally carb free because of the long simmer and common ingredients used: bones. If there are carbs, then it's because he company has added some vegetables before, during or after the broth is made. This is not necessarily good or bad, you need to decide if you are looking for protein, amino acids and collagen out of your bone broth meal topper or if you are looking for more carbs.

Dogs are carnivores and need lots of protein and fat, carbs are not necessary in a meal topper like this.

8. What Packaging Do They Use?

Nowadays, we need to support companies that use light, minimal packaging from recyclable materials. Look for pouches instead of canisters for this reason.

The lightest package is the most eco friendly when you account for the energy used throughout the entire production, transport and final disposal of it.

Most Reviews You Read are 100% Fake

Most reviews you see are manipulated by the companies who make the products. They can easily remove bad customer reviews from their websites and can even pay for Amazon reviews.

This leave you and me scratching our heads and trying to figure out what to do as a conscious consumer.

Cooking blog and review websites cannot be trusted either anymore. Why? Because these articles are rife with affiliate links.

This means that all of the brands in a review article are a part of the scheme. They pay to be featured on the article and also give the publisher a percentage or royalty on all sales that result from people clicking the links in the article.

Check the disclaimers below take from two popular cooking blog websites.

This means you are not getting the best product recommended to you but the one who can afford to pay the publisher for clicks.

Keep this in mind when you come across review websites and publications.

Can Dogs Have Bone Broth

Yes, dogs thrive off of regular bone broth consumption, just made sure that you are using a bone broth made for dogs and not humans. Human bone broth is great, but sometimes there are added ingredients that are not safe for dogs to eat. These include garlic, onions, both of which are harmful to your pup.

Also, many human made bone broths can be high in salt and have what I call 'filler ingredients.' Filler ingredients are things like natural flavors, dextrose and yeast extract. They don't sound harmful but they can cause gut health and digestive issues in my experience with my two dogs.

What are the different types of bone broth for dogs?

There are different types of bone broth for dogs including ones made from chicken, lamb, beef, turkey and pork. In terms of format you'll find liquid and dehydrated or powdered versions.

Dehydrated versions are convenient and easy to store and travel with. Liquid is more difficult to deal with and needs to be stored in the fridge or freezer safe containers.

Read this detailed article on bone broth powder to learn exactly how it's made.

Bone Broth for Puppies Primer

Puppies can drink bone broth once they are over 3 months old, but be careful and introduce it gradually for best results (ask for veterinarian to be sure). Start with 1/8 to 1/4 tsp powder (depending on the size of your pup) and serve it with one meal. See how they react the next day. Look for diarrhea or vomitting... these are clear signs to discontinue use.

But if the poo is just a bit soft, that is okay, because it is their digestive tract getting used to the new amino acids. If it is well tolerated then you can move to one serving per day. But always talk to your vet if you are in doubt as this is general guidance and not specific to your situation.

Is Human Bone Broth Good For Dogs

Human bone broth can be dangerous for dogs because most of them have onions, which is harmful for dogs. Some of them also contain preservatives (citric acid) and fill ingredients like yeast extract and natural flavors which can mess with your dog's delicate digestive system.

For this reason, it is always best to stick to a dog-specific bone broth option like the ones listed in above.

A Note on Bone Broth Treats

There are many dog treats made with bone broth. While these are great for picky eaters, they do not have enough amino acids to get your dog any real benefits. I'm sure your pup will absolutely love them, so go ahead and try them. But just know that you need the real stuff to if you want your dog to reap the health benefits.

What type of bone broth is best for dogs?

Beef and poultry bone broth are best for dogs because they are lower in many allergens. Be sure to check with your veterinarian if you are unsure. And also note your dogs history. If they are sensitive to poultry products then opt for beef.

It is more important to get a high quality version that is sourced correctly before you nit-pick between flavors. Some are better for maintaining a dog's skin and coat health, while others improve their immune system or digestion.

Beef Broth for Dogs

Beef broth is a great option for dogs, but you need to make sure there are no onions, garlic, preservatives or filler ingredients that are dangerous for dogs. The safest option is to use a single ingredient beef bone broth like the one from Bluebird Provisions.

What about soup / broth bones for dogs?

You can give you dog soup or beef broth bones instead. But be careful with them chewing through the bones which can break into sharp shards.

Check with your vet before using these marrow bones for this reason and watch them while they eat it to make sure no issues. Avoid poultry bones as they're too small and can easily get caught in their throat.

Can dogs eat bone broth everyday?

Yes, dogs can eat bone broth every day. It should be used as a healthy dog food topper with their regular meals. However, it is not recommended to feed it as a replacement for your dog's regular meals. It does not have the full amino acid profile for your pet to live on. These are supplemental products only.

Are there any side effects of giving my dog bone broth?

Side effects of giving your dog bone broth include diarrhea and upset stomachs. There are some dogs that might react poorly to certain ingredients found in a given recipe so you need to be diligent with your research.

Upset stomaches and poop issues are because most people do not transition their dogs to it properly. They have sensitive digestive systems, after all.

You need to be very gradual to build up their tolerance to it. Follow the serving directions carefully to avoid any issues and learn exactly why bone broth makes them poop.

Speak with your vet if you are unsure if it is right for your pet.

Is store-bought bone broth OK for dogs?

Most store-bought bone broth is not acceptable for dogs because of the added fillers, corn, onions, garlic, grains and high sodium. This makes it difficult for their delicate systems to digest, especially if they have food allergies like my dogs do.

If you are going that route, make sure the one you are using is of good enough quality not to risk your dog's health. It should be human grade, meaning something that you would eat yourself.

Closing Thoughts

If you find yourself wanting the highest quality nutrition for your pet, then my checklist for finding the best bone broth for your dog in 2024 is easy:

1. Find one with without nasty ingredients that you haven't heard of (natural flavors, yeast, salt) made in a human-grade facility.
2. Look at the crude protein percentage. 3% protein for liquid and 80% protein for dehydrated versions is a good place to start if you are after the unique benefits. If your pup dos not need the benefits, then grab whatever you like.

Here's my honest recommendation, if you are set on a liquid product, then Bluebird Provisions is not for you.

But if you are looking for dehydrated, then you won't find a higher quality product that Bluebird Provisions Beef Bone Broth. It's made using 100% grass fed beef, non-GMO and pasture raised chicken sourced in the USA.

Do you want my thoughts on a different brand? Leave a comment and let me know. Or have you tried any of the ones above? Did you pet like it?

Disclaimer: The information in this article is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be used to treat or supplement any pet's diet. Consult your veterinarian or animal health specialist if you have questions about anything related to their food, consumption or health. The statements have not been evaluated by the FDA, USDA or CFIA.